Becoming Tribal

I was blessed this summer to swim in a sea of professional learning.  With a year to plan for the opening of a new campus, I dove into every opportunity I could find that I believed would stretch my thinking in preparation for this great work.  As I sit back and begin to unpack my learning, I am struck by a common experience that was unanticipated when the summer began.  This experience was not listed in the descriptors for any course or conference I attended.  This experience could be described as tribalization.  This process involves drawing groups of individuals who were initially loosely associated tightly together under a variety of circumstances. 

My first tribal experience began with an invitation to participate in a pair of eCourses developed by Brené Brown as part of the COURAGEworks online learning community. Since Brené Brown is one of my top influencers and “EduHeroes”, the decision to participate was an easy one to make.  From her work we developed our campus growth mindset mantra, “Lean into the discomfort”.  Part of the expectation for our participation in this work was to join a discussion group of district administrators, teachers and a counselor.  Over a period of weeks, we individually went through the eCourses and came together as a group to process the learning.  Leading the Skype processing sessions were representatives from CourageWorks who asked probing questions that explored our values, beliefs and ultimately fears.  As we dug into this “heart work” something amazing happened.  The perfecting that each of us was doing to a certain degree, faded away.  As our professional facades collapsed, the true beauty of who we are was revealed.  Through sharing our stories, vulnerably and honestly, a bond grew between us that would be hard for those who have not experienced something similar to appreciate.  With acceptance came trust.  With trust came a strong sense of what it means to be human, to be worthy.  We had moved from a group to a tribe. 

My biggest summer opportunity for professional learning came from my week attending the Leadership: An Evolving Vision (LEV) summer institute at Harvard.  This was the most powerful adult learning experience I have ever been a part of.  Session after session from EduHeroes left me feeling like I was drinking water through a fire hose! One of the structures created to support reflective practice and meaning-making of the intense learning was the formation of small groups.  My group of 10 individuals was diverse in many ways.  We had members from Texas and both coasts of the US.  Two Australians, a New Zealander and a Canadian rounded out our international team.  These folks are leaders of public schools, charter schools and parochial schools.  The organizers of the LEV institute were very purposeful in the selection of the team-building experience that lead to my second tribal experience.  Early in the week, we drove out of the city to a challenge course to participate in Project Adventure.  This adventure-based experiential program combined low element and high element challenges.  I found the high element challenge especially powerful.  As I slowly made my way across a tight wire over 30 feet above the ground, I placed my safety in the hands of four of my peers.  Later I had my turn working the rope to secure my team mate’s safety.  The physicality of this experience left us open to connection with one another.  As we worked through a series of low element activities, the team quickly developed a “no man will be left behind” mentality.  It is near impossible to maintain a false air of professionalism when one is slapping mosquitoes, picking ticks and dripping sweat.  Through the physical challenges, laughter, and reflective moments we became brothers and sisters.  We had moved from a group to a tribe.

As a learner, I love when my experiences inform me at multiple levels.  The content for both of these experiences was rich and challenging.  Perhaps the most valuable lesson was how the development of a tribal culture allows our teams and organizations to function at high levels.  Conversations and commitments are at a deeper level.  Real talk about things that truly matter can happen.  Authenticity is the norm and everyone is valued for what they bring to the table.  A tribal culture is one of interdependence in which we are investing in one another.  Here are some of my thoughts about how you might leverage the creation of tribes in your organization.

1)      When you are with others model the characteristics that support connection.  Interactions need to be relational not transactional.  Demonstrate courage and vulnerability by sharing your honest story. 

2)      Allot time for the purpose of your teams to do this work.  In my experience, spending a day away from your normal venue devoted to team-building is a great way to start.  With ongoing meetings, remember to allow time for personal and professional celebrations at the beginning. Clearly send the message through you agenda that you value the relational over the transactional by the order that you do things.

3)      Although you can be proactive in creating experiences and structures that support tribalization, the most powerful opportunities can come in a more impromptu fashion.  When a dilemma or crisis arises, our response to it will either support the development of our tribe or leave us fractured.  Value others voice in dealing with these issues.  Lean on your team and expect them to lean on you.  Through challenge, our tribe becomes strong.

What could you add to this list?  As I close this, I want to thank my new tribe members.  I smile when I think of our time together and look forward to our continued connection as we do great things for kids.  I appreciate your investment in me and am proud to journey ahead with you as a kindred spirit.